Two more councils have joined the queue to crackdown on property investors letting shared houses, reports the MoneyCentre. Preston and York are both ready to announce ‘article 4’ selective licensing for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).Councillors in Preston are considering the move that will mean landlords investing in new HMOs will have to gain planning permission before they can start letting rooms.A council revealed that in neighbourhoods with about 14,000 homes, 1,350 are HMOs – with students sharing 840.

The report urges Preston Council should impose selective licensing for HMOs to control parking, noise and disturbances on the streets.Meanwhile, an entire estate is lobbying York City Council to take on selective licensing after years of misery allegedly caused by rowdy students.A staggering 98 per cent of people living in the Badger Hall neighbourhood want the council to act to stop more shared homes for students.The Badger Hall Residents Association polled the area and found,66 per cent had moans about parking59 per cent felt poorly maintained investment properties were hauling down prices in the area60 per cent had contacted the police, university or council with concerns about antisocial behaviour from students81 per cent wanted to move or knew someone that had moved away due to poor student behaviour.The city council is expected to propose a 12-month consultation before imposing article 4 planning restrictions on the badger Hall estate, which is close to the University of York campus.Other councils imposing selective licensing for HMOs include Milton Keynes, Oxford, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Swansea and Exeter.